Quick release canister

ABSTRACT

A canister comprising: (a) a space configured to receive a tonneau cover so that the tonneau cover is stored within the canister; and (b) one or more track guides that guide the canister relative to a roller track, a bed of a vehicle, a rail extension, a cap, or a combination thereof; and wherein the one or more track guides assist the canister in being inserted into or removed from the bed of the vehicle.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to a truck bed cover that is storablewithin a canister and more specifically a canister that is removable andinsertable into a tonneau system without removal of all components ofthe tonneau system.

BACKGROUND

Tonneau systems cover an open area of a vehicle and generally cover anopen area of a pick-up truck (i.e., a bed). Multiple different types oftonneau systems are available, with some of the tonneau covers beingsolid and opening about a pivot, some folding upon themselves, andothers rolling up. With the roll up type covers the covers roll up intoa canister that stores the cover, while the tonneau system is in thestored position. In order to free up space within the vehicle bed somecanisters have been placed outside of the bed. Some of the canisterswhen located outside of the bed remain visible and the tonneau systemdoes not have a flat lay out. In other tonneau systems, the canisterremains located within the vehicle bed using up space that could beavailable for other components. If a user desired to use the entirevehicle bed, substantially all of the tonneau system would need to beremoved so that the truck bed could be free of the tonneau system.However, adding and removing the entire tonneau system can be timeconsuming and may detract a user from attempting to remove the canisterand/or tonneau system from the bed of the vehicle. Attempts have beenmade to make removable tonneau systems however, these systems includeremoval of rails, tracks, and other components in addition to thecanister, which may need tools in order to add and remove portions ofthe tonneau system from the vehicle bed.

Examples of tonneau systems are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,516,469;4,479,677; 4,786,099; 5,040,843; 6,848,734; and 8,087,713 all of whichare expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Itwould be desirable to have tonneau system where the canister isremovable without removal of any other components. What is needed iscanister that is quick release and quick insert into the tonneau system.It would be desirable to have a canister that is removable without usingany tools. What is needed is a tonneau system that guides the canisterinto place and out of place so that the tracks of the canister and theroller tracks are moved into alignment and out of alignment so thattonneau cover may be extended and retracted. It would be desirable tohave a method of adding and removing a canister from a tonneau systemwithout removal of any other components of the tonneau system.

SUMMARY

The present teachings seek to help solve one or more of theproblems/issues disclosed above. The present teachings are particularlydirected to regulating movement of the truck bed cover into and out of acanister of the tonneau system.

Accordingly, pursuant to one aspect of the present teachings provide: acanister comprising: (a) a space configured to receive a tonneau coverso that the tonneau cover is stored within the canister; and (b) one ormore track guides that guide the canister relative to a roller track, abed of a vehicle, a rail extension, a cap, or a combination thereof; andwherein the one or more track guides assist the canister in beinginserted into or removed from the bed of the vehicle.

The present teachings provide: a tonneau system comprising: (a) a rollertrack that is configured to connect to a first side of a bed of avehicle; (b) a second roller track that is configured to connect to asecond side of the bed of the vehicle; (c) a rail extension connected tothe roller track on the first side; (d) a second rail extensionconnected to the second roller track on the second side; (a) a canisterincluding: (i) a track guide on a first side of the canister incommunication with the roller track and the rail extension on the firstside, and (ii) a second track guide on a second side of the canister incommunication with the second roller track and the second rail extensionon the second side; and (f) a bearing connected to the rail extensionand a second bearing connected to the second rail extension so that thebearing guides the canister as the canister is being inserted into orremoved from the bed of the vehicle; wherein the roller track and thesecond roller track remain connected to the bed of the vehicle when thecanister is removed from the bed of the vehicle.

The present teachings provide: a method comprising: (a) moving acanister in a first direction relative to one or more roller tracks, oneor more rail extensions, or both so that a bearing moves relative to atrack guide from a position within a guide lock of the track guide to aposition within a movement pocket of the track guide; (b) moving thecanister in a second direction so that the bearing moves from themovement pocket to a guide neck of the track guide; and (c) moving thecanister in a third direction so that the bearing moves from the guideneck, along one or more track legs, and out of a track opening of thetrack guide so that the canister is moved in a third direction; whereinthe one or more roller tracks, the one or more rail extensions, or bothare free of movement as the canister moves.

The present teachings provide a tonneau system where the canister isremovable without removal of any other components. The present teachingsprovide a canister that is quick release and quick insert into thetonneau system. The present teachings provide a canister that isremovable without using any tools. The present teachings provide atonneau system that guides the canister into place and out of place sothat the tracks of the canister and the roller tracks are moved intoalignment and out of alignment so that tonneau cover may be extended andretracted. The present teachings provide a method of adding and removinga canister from a tonneau system without removal of any other componentsof the tonneau system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a vehicle with a tonneau system in aclosed position;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of a vehicle with a tonneau system ina closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a tonneau system in a closedposition;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a canister;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a canister and connection componentry;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the canister in a locked position with the capand rail extension removed;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the canister moved so that the bearing movesfrom the guide lock to the movement pocket releasing the canister;

FIG. 5C is a side view illustrating the bearing moving through the guideneck as the canister is removed from the tonneau system;

FIG. 5D is a side view of the canister being removed while the remainingtonneau system components remain connected to the bed of the vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rail extension including a bearing anda canister lock;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cap extending over an edge of thecanister;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cap;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one side of a tonneau system; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a side of a tonneau system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as willbe gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporatedby reference into this written description.

The tonneau system functions to cover an open area and prevent fluid,debris, dirt, or a combination thereof form entering the open area(e.g., a bed of a vehicle and preferably a pick-up truck, andhereinafter “bed”). The tonneau system may function to lock a bed sothat items may be stored within the bed. The tonneau system may becollapsible so that items may be placed within the bed withoutinterference from the tonneau system. The tonneau system may fold uponitself to expose the bed. Preferably, the tonneau cover may roll up orroll into a canister that stores the tonneau cover of the tonneausystem. The tonneau system may include one or more tonneau sections andpreferably a plurality of tonneau sections that are pivotably connectedtogether to form a tonneau cover. The tonneau cover may be a pluralityof tonneau sections that are connected together via one or more pivotpins so that the tonneau sections move relative to each other about anaxis.

The tonneau sections (i.e., section) function to connect together tocreate one contiguous surface (e.g., a cover). The tonneau sections maylock together. The tonneau sections may be longitudinally movable,rotationally movable, or both relative to other tonneau sections. Thetonneau sections when in a closed position may prevent fluid, debris,dirt, or a combination thereof from entering a bed. The tonneau sectionsmay be separate pieces. The one or more tonneau sections may beconnected together to extend within a first plane. The one or moretonneau sections may extend along a first plane when the tonneausections are in a closed position. The one or more tonneau sections mayextend from the first plane and into the canister when the tonneausections are moved into the stored position. The tonneau sections may beconnected together by a hinge, an outer covering, or both. The tonneausections may be connected together by a cover that is flexible so thatone tonneau section is movable relative to another tonneau section. Thetonneau sections may be a plurality of sections that are flexible sothat the tonneau sections may mirror the shape of the track. The tonneausections may include one or more inner sections (e.g., that extend alongtrack one), one or more outer sections (e.g., that extend along tracktwo), one or more curved sections (e.g., that extend along track three),or a combination thereof. The one or more inner sections may be aplurality of sections. The inner sections may be a forward end of thetonneau cover and may extend into the canister first. The inner sectionsmay extend into the canister first. The inner sections may be connectedto one or more curved sections. The curved sections may change thetonneau cover from a first direction to a second direction. The curvedsections may be flat in the closed position. The curved sections may bearcuate or bent in the stored position. The curved sections may assistthe tonneau cover in confirming to the shape of the track. The tonneaucover may only be made of curved sections. The curved sections may belocated between one or more inner sections and one or more outersections. The one or more outer sections may be the last sections toextend into the canister. The one or more outer sections may remainpartly out of the canister. Preferably, all of the tonneau sectionsextend into the canister. The one or more outer seconds may include atab that extends out of the canister so that when the canister is in theinstalled position the tonneau cover can be removed from the canister.The one or more outer sections may connect to a tonneau cap, an end of abed, a tailgate, or a combination thereof. The one or more outersections may be a portion that a user grips to remove the tonneau coverfrom the canister. The tonneau sections when connected together may forma tonneau cover, which covers a bed of a vehicle. The tonneau sectionsmay be connected together via an outer covering or may include an outercovering that assists in forming a contiguous surface when the tonneaucover is in the closed position.

The outer covering may be flexible so that one tonneau section may bemoved relative to another tonneau section. The outer covering mayprevent one tonneau section from being longitudinally moved relative toanother tonneau section. The tonneau sections may include a frame member(e.g., including support arms, support brackets, mounting parts, tracks,rollers, or a combination thereof). The tonneau sections may include oneor more frame members. The one or more frame members may extend along alength of each section, form a perimeter of the tonneau system, or both.The tonneau sections, outer covering, or both may be made of a sheetmoulding compound. The tonneau sections, outer covering, or both may bemade of a polymer, foam, metal, aluminum, titanium, or a combinationthereof. The outer covering may have some elastomeric properties thatallow one tonneau section to be longitudinally moved relative to anothertonneau section. The outer covering may be a spacer that is locatedbetween each tonneau section and moves with each tonneau section. Theouter covering may prevent water from penetrating between the tonneausections in the closed position, extended position, stored position, ora combination thereof. The cover may extend over more than one tonneausection. The outer cover may extend from one end of a tonneau section toanother end of a tonneau section so that a gap between the tonneausections are covered. The tonneau sections may be free of an outercovering. The tonneau sections may be rotatable about a hinge pivot,movable along a roller track, a track, or a combination thereof bymoving along one or more rollers.

The one or more rollers may function to move the tonneau cover or createa low friction interface for the tonneau cover to move between a closedposition and a stored position. Preferably, the rollers discussed hereinare sets of opposing rollers. The one or more rollers may function tomove the tonneau cover along one or more tracks. The rollers may be partof the cover. The rollers may be part of the track. Each section mayhave one or more rollers at a first end (e.g., passenger's side) and asecond end (driver side). Each section may have a plurality of rollersat each end. The rollers may be located within a plane and may assistthe tonneau cover in moving. The rollers may be circular and may createa low-friction surface that the tonneau cover slides along. The rollersmay sit within a track, a roller track, or both that guides the tonneaucover. The rollers may be to flat surfaces that contact each other andallow the tonneau cover to move. The rollers may be a planar surface.For example, the rollers may be a surface inside of a track (that may below friction) and the tonneau cover may have one or more flat surfacesthat move along the surface inside of the track. The one or more rollersmay be a bearing surface. The rollers may be a polymer, a plastic, poly,metal, graphite, or a combination thereof that slide along anothersurface. The rollers may allow for longitudinal movement and preventlateral movement. The rollers may rotate. The rollers may slide withoutrotational movement. The rollers may include or be a bearing. Therollers may be free of a bearing. The rollers may be surfaces that thetonneau cover moves along. All of the rollers may be located within asingle plane until the rollers enter into the canister where the rollersmay be separated by a plurality of tracks located within the canister.

The one or more canisters may function to store the tonneau cover, oneor more of the tonneau sections, or all of the tonneau sections when thetonneau cover is moved from a closed position to a stored position. Theone or more canisters may be located below a top of the truck bed. Theone or more canisters may extend into a truck bed, through a truck bed,or both. A top of the one or more canisters and a top of the tonneaucover may be substantially flush in the installed state. The one or morecanisters may include a space that receives a tonneau cover. The spacein the canister may store a tonneau cover. The tonneau cover may roll upin the space, fold within the space, roll up on a track, roll up uponitself, or a combination thereof. The space may be open. Preferably, thespace is a closed space inside of the tonneau cover. The canister may beconnected to the bed by one or more roller tracks, one or more rails,one or more rail extensions, or a combination thereof. The one or morecanisters may be removably connected to the one or more roller tracks,one or more rails, one or more rail extensions, one or more canisterlocks, one or more bearings, or a combination thereof. The one or morecanisters may be inserted in and removed from the tonneau system withoutadding or removing any other components of the tonneau system (e.g.,rails, roller track, or both). The canister may be removed by removing acap, actuating a one or more canister locks, or both. The canister maybe connected to a roller track, a rail extension, or both on a first end(driver side) and a second end (passenger side). The one or morecanisters may include one or more tracks. The one or more tracks in thecanister may permit the tonneau sections to curve or bend within thecanister so that the tonneau sections are stored and protected. The oneor more canisters may angle the tonneau sections so that the tonneausections are stored and are controllably moved into the canister. Theone or more canisters may be connected to a bed, a forward wall of abed, one or more side walls of a bed, or a combination thereof. Thecanister may store all or a portion of the tonneau cover and permit thecanister and tonneau cover to be removed from the tonneau system. Thecanister may include one or more handles.

The one or more handles may function to assist in removal of thecanister from the tonneau system. The one or more handles may be locatedon a front end, a rear end, or both ends of the canister. The handle maybe located between the canister and the cab, between the canister andthe tail gate, or both. The handle may be rigid, flexible, storable, arecess in the canister, connected to an outside of the canister, anabsence of material, or a combination thereof. The one or more handlesmay assist in removing the canister from the bed, the guide lock, thebearing, or a combination thereof. The one or more handles may assist inmoving the canister once the tonneau cover is stored on the one or moretracks.

The one or more tracks may maintain each of the tonneau sections spacedapart so that one tonneau section does not overlap and contact anadjacent tonneau section. The one or more tracks function to guide thetonneau cover into and out of the canister. The one or more tracks mayprevent a first portion (e.g., an inner section) of a tonneau cover fromcontacting a second portion (e.g., an outer section) of a tonneau cover.The one or more tracks may assist in storing the tonneau cover. The oneor more tracks may assist is slowing the tonneau cover as the tonneaucover extends into the canister. The one or more tracks may be orinclude a section that is generally circular, oval, “U” shaped, “C”shaped, or a combination thereof. The one or more tracks may have twoportions that are parallel to each other. The one or more tracks mayhave two portions that are converging. For example, an inner track andan outer track may be angled such that the inner track and the outertrack converge towards each other. The one or more tracks may have twoportions that are diverging. The track may extend to the bed. The trackmay guide a portion of the tonneau cover parallel to the bed. The one ormore tracks may have one or more segments. Preferably, the track has aplurality of segments that control movement of the tonneau cover withinthe canister. The track may be scroll shaped. The track may include oneor more outer tracks, one or more inner tracks, one or more curvedtracks, a track one, a track two, a track three, or a combinationthereof. The one or more tracks may be located within a space within thecanister.

The space within the canister may function to store the tonneau cover.The space may be an open area that the tonneau cover may fit within. Thespace may include a spring, an axis, a shaft, tracks, or a combinationthereof that assist in storing the tonneau cover. The space may receiveall or a portion of the tonneau cover when the tonneau cover is in thestored position, closed position, or both. The open space may have oneor more shafts that extend from one end to another end (e.g., from acover on a first end to a cover on a second end). The space may be freeof any other components of the canister. The space may include one ormore shafts, one or more springs, one or more tracks, or a combinationthereof. The tracks of the canister may align with one or more rollertracks within each of the one or more rails.

The one or more rails function to connect to a bed of a vehicle, allowthe tonneau cover to move between a closed position and a storedposition, or both. The one or more rails may extend from a forward endof a bed to a rear end of a bed. The one or more rails may have a lengthsubstantially equal to a length of a bed. The one or more rails mayconnect a tonneau cover to a bed and a canister. A first rail may extendalong a driver side and a second rail may extend along a passenger sideof a bed. The rails may connect a first side of a tonneau cover to afirst side of a bed and a second side of a tonneau cover to a secondside of a bed. The rails may include one or more roller tracks thatreceive one or more rollers of the tonneau cover.

The one or more roller tracks may function to receive one or morerollers of the tonneau cover so that the one or more rollers are movablealong the bed between a closed position and a stored position. The oneor more roller tracks may be connected to a vehicle, a bed of a vehicle,or both. The one or more roller tracks may remain connected to avehicle, a bed of a vehicle, or both when the canister is removed. Theone or more roller tracks may be a channel, a groove, a recess, anaperture, or a combination thereof. The one or more roller tracks may begenerally “C” shaped, generally “U” shaped, or both so that as a rollermoves within a roller track the roller is maintained within the rollertrack and guides the tonneau cover. The one or more roller tracks may bea single roller track in each rail. The roller tracks may be parallel toa direction of movement of a tonneau cover so that the tonneau cover ismovable into the canister and out of the canister. The roller track(e.g., rail) and track (e.g., canister) may be connected together by oneor more rail extensions. The one or more roller tracks, tracks, railextensions, or a combination thereof may be covered by one or moreroller extensions.

The one or more roller extensions may function to extend outward tocover a connection location between the vehicle and the canister. Theone or more roller extensions may be connected to the canister. The oneor more roller extensions may be a unitary part of the rail. The railmay be one solid piece that includes the roller extension. The rollerextension may extend in a first direction away from the roller trackthat extends in a second direction. The roller extension may extend awayfrom an opposing side of a vehicle. For example, the roller extensionmay extend from a passenger side of a vehicle in a passenger sidedirection away from the driver side. The roller extension may extend alength of the bed. The roller extension may extend up to the canisterand stop. The roller extension may be free of extending over thecanister or a region proximate to the canister. The roller extensionwhen located proximate to the cover cap, the cap, or both may form acontiguous surface that prevents water from entering the bed, thecanister, the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The roller extensionmay include one or more fingers that assist in connecting the rollerextension with the cap, the cover, or both.

The one or more roller fingers function to assist in connecting a cover,a cap, a projection connection, or a combination thereof within thetonneau system, with the rail, or both. The one or more roller fingersmay create an open space, a roller recess or both. The roller fingersmay oppose each other. The one or more roller fingers may extend towardseach other. The one or more roller fingers may each be “C” shaped, “U”shaped, include one or more curves, or a combination thereof. The rollerfingers may be two opposing fingers that curve towards each other tocreate an ovoid shape with an opening in the ovoid. The roller fingersmay include one or more roller recesses or form one or more rollerrecesses. The one or more fingers may connect to or hold one or moreprojection connectors so that the cover, cap, rail, or a combinationthereof of are connected together, held in place, or both.

The one or more roller recesses may function to connect the rail to acover, a cap, or both. The one or more roller recesses may receive oneor more projection connectors. The one or more roller recesses may facedownward towards the roller track, away from the roller track, in adirection parallel to the roller track, or a combination thereof. Theone or more roller recesses may be an open space. The one or more rollerrecesses may be formed between two or more roller fingers. The one ormore roller recesses may be a gap in the roller extension between two ormore roller fingers where a male member, a locking member, a projectionconnector, or a combination thereof may connect to the rail. The one ormore roller recesses may form a complementary fit with one or moreprojection connectors. The one or more roller recesses may be acompletely closed space (e.g., completely surrounded by roller fingers).The one or more roller recesses may be partially open (e.g., the rollerfingers may not connect and may be separated). The one or more rollerrecesses may receive a projection connector to connect to the cover, thecap, or both and a rail connector may support the rail relative to abed.

The rail connector may function to connect the rail to a bed, a clamp,or both. The rail connector may be in contact with a clamp and the clampmay hold the rail on a side wall of the bed. The rail connector mayprevent a clamp from moving relative to a sidewall of a bed. The railconnector may be a plurality of raised surfaces, grooves, bumps, or acombination thereof. The rail connector may be in contact with or on anopposing side of one or more rail extensions.

The one or more rail extension function to connect a canister to a rail,connect a roller track to a track, connect a bearing within the tonneausystem, connect a canister lock within the tonneau system, or acombination thereof. The one or more rail extensions may connectdirectly to a bed of a vehicle. The one or more rail extensions mayconnect only to a rail, only to a canister, or to both the rail and thecanister. The one or more rail extensions may form a bridge or act as abridge between the rail and the canister; between a roller track and atrack; or both. The one or more rail extensions may extend parallel tothe rails. The one or more rail extensions may be flat, planar, or both.The rail extension may be free of a direct connection with the rail, thecanister, or both. The one or more rail extensions may be generallyplanar and may include a bearing, a canister lock, or both that extendfrom the rail extension. The rail extension may be a support for abearing, a canister lock, or both. The rail extensions may be located ona first side, a second side, or both sides of a bed, a canister, orboth. The tonneau system may include one rail extension. Preferably, thetonneau system includes a plurality or rail extensions. The railextensions may connect a bearing, a canister lock, or both within atonneau system. Each rail extension may include a bearing, a canisterlock, or both. Preferably, each rail extension includes both a bearingand a canister lock. The rail extensions may function to add a bearing,a canister lock, or both into a tonneau system.

The one or more canister locks function to connect the canister to therails, the rail extensions, the bed, or a combination thereof when thecanister locks are in a locked state and to release the canister whenthe canister locks are in an unlocked state. The canister lock mayreceive a locking tab of the canister so that the canister lock preventsthe canister from being removed when the canister locked in a lockedstate. The canister lock may be openable and closeable. The canisterlock may only be openable when the tonneau cover is in the storedposition. A canister lock on a first side may be connected to a canisterlock on a second side. A chord, string, connection member, or acombination thereof may connect two canister locks together so that bothcanister locks may be actuated substantially simultaneously. The one ormore canister locks may be connected to a rail extension. The one ormore canister locks may connect the canister to the rail extension sothat the canister is prevented from being removed from the tonneausystem. The one or more canister locks may connect the canister to arail, a rail extension, the bed, or a combination hereof so that thecanister is prevented from being removed. The one or more canister locksmay include a release arm that may be connected to a locking jaw.

The one or more release arms may function to release a canister from thebed, the rail, the rail extension, a locking tab, or a combinationthereof. The one or more release arms may move a locking jaw. The one ormore release arms may open and close a locking jaw. The one or morerelease arms may actuate the locking jaw so that a canister may be movedrelative to the canister lock. The one or more release arms may rotateabout a pivot. The one or more release arms may extend cantilever fromthe canister lock. The one or more release arms may extend towards a bedof a vehicle. The one or more release arms may be located inside of thetonneau system, under a tonneau cover, or both. The one or more releasearms may be connected to or in communication with one or more lockingjaws so that when the release arms are moved from a first position to asecond position the locking jaws are moved from a first position to asecond position. The one or more release arms may move between a lockingposition and an unlocking position so that the locking jaw is moved froma locking position to an unlocking position.

The one or more locking jaws function to connect the canister lock tothe canister so that the canister is retained within the tonneau system.The one or more locking jaws may open so that a portion (e.g., lockingtab) is movable out of the canister lock. The one or more locking jawsmay move in a first direction regardless of the position of the releasearms. The one or more locking jaws may actuate the release arms when alocking tab is moved into the canister lock as the canister is movedfrom the removed position to the locked position. The one or morelocking jaws may only be movable in a second direction when the releasearm is in an unlocked state. The one or more locking jaws may preventmovement of the canister from a locked position to a removed positionexcept when the locking jaws are unlocked by the one or more releasearms being actuated. The one or more locking jaws may receive a lockingtab and may assist in aligning a bearing of the rail extension with atrack guide of a canister. A locking jaw on a first side may beconnected to a locking jaw on a second side so that when the locking jawon the first side is actuated, the locking jaw on the second side isactuated. For example, a cable, wire, string, rod, or a combinationthereof may connect the locking jaw on the first side to the locking jawon the second side. The one or more locking jaws may receive one or morelocking tabs.

The one or more locking tabs may function to connect the canister withinthe tonneau system, to the bed, to the rail extension, to a rail, or acombination thereof. The one or more locking tabs may extend into alocking jaw when the canister is in the locked position. The one or morelocking tabs may be a pin, a bearing, a projection, a male feature, or acombination thereof that extends into the locking jaws to preventmovement of the canister. The one or more locking tabs may be a strikerlatch. The one or more locking tabs may be static and the canister lockmay be forced into contact with the locking tab to form a fixedconnection. The one or more locking tabs may be connected to the vehicleto prevent movement of and/or removal of the canister. The one or morelocking tabs may be a bearing as discussed herein.

The one or more bearings may function to assist a canister in beingremoved, being installed, or both. The one or more bearings may assistin preventing movement of the canister when the canister is in thelocked position. The one or more bearings may guide the canister, theguide track, or both into a predetermined position (e.g., locked orunlocked). The one or more bearings may be static and may assist inguiding the canister between and installed position and a removedposition. The one or more bearings may be connected to the railextension, the rail, or both. The one or more bearings may be formedwith the rail, rail extension, or both and extend from the rail, railextension, or both. The one or more bearings may be connected to the oneor more guide tracks or located within the one or more guide tracks. Theone or more bearings may assist in connecting the canister to the bed ofa vehicle. The one or more bearings may extend cantilever from the rail,the rail extension, or both. The one or more bearings may be generallycircular, oval, square, triangular, symmetric, asymmetric, or acombination thereof. The one or more bearings may be metal, plastic,extend into a hold, lock in place, be a striker, be free of rotation, bea busing, a shoulder bolt, bolt, stud, molded part, projection, or acombination thereof. The bearing may slide. The bearing may rotate. Thebearing may prevent movement of the canister. The bearing may be free ofrotation. The one or more bearings may be a single bearing. The one ormore bearings may be one or more bearings on each side of a bed. The oneor more bearings may be a plurality of bearings on each side of the bed.The one or more bearings may guide the canister from a locked positionto a removed position, from a removed position to a locked position, orboth. The one or more bearings may extend into a track guide, along aside of a track guide, on one or more sides of a track guide, both sidesof a track guide, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the one or morebearings extend into a track guide located on a cover of the canisterthat assists the canister in being removed.

The one or more covers may function to seal sides of the canister,prevent the tonneau sections from being contaminated when the tonneausections are located within the canister, or both. The one or morecovers may be an integral part of the canister. The one or more coversmay be removable. The one or more covers may snap on, be fastened on, orboth. The one or more canister covers may be located on a side, a front,a back, a bottom, or a combination thereof. The one or more canistercovers may be sufficiently strong so that the canister, the canister andtonneau cover, or both may be supported only by the canister covers. Thecanister covers may support a weight of about 15 Kg or more, about 25 Kgor more, about 35 Kg or more, about 50 Kg or more, about 200 Kg or less,or about 100 Kg or less. The one or more canister covers may be made ofmetal, aluminum, titanium, steel, a polymer, a thermoset, or acombination thereof. The one or more covers may include one or moreapertures, one or more tracks, or both. The one or more covers mayinclude one or more track guides. Each of the covers may include a trackguide. A track guide and a cover may be located on each side of thecanister.

The cover cap may function to extend from the cover towards the tonneaucover, under the cap, under the rail, or a combination thereof. Thecover cap may prevent water from extending between the cover and a sideof the vehicle. The cover cap may extend away from a side wall of avehicle, towards an opposing side wall of a vehicle, or both. The covercap may be generally “L” shaped, generally “C” shaped, generally “U”shaped, or a combination thereof. The cover cap may create a barrierbetween the cap and the rail, the tonneau cover, or both. The cover capmay have a portion that extends in a first direction towards a center ofa vehicle bed and a cover extension that extends in a second directionaway form a center of a vehicle bed.

The cover extension may function to prevent fluid from extending intothe vehicle bed, through the tonneau cover, through the tonneau system,between the rail and the tonneau cover, between the rail and the bed ofthe vehicle, or a combination thereof. The cover extension may create aconnection with a cap, a rail, or both. The cover extension may guidefluid away from the tonneau cover. The cover extension may lock on tothe cover. The cover extension may extend into an extension clip. Thecover extension and extension clip may connect together so that one sideof cap is locked to the cover. The cover extension may assist in lockingthe cover to the tonneau system. The cover extension may extendcantilever from the cover. The cover extension may be one part of clipthat attaches the cover to the tonneau system. The cover extension,cover cap clip, cover finger, or a combination thereof may work togetherto connect a cap, the rail, or both within the tonneau system.

The one or more cover cap clip may function to connect the cover to therail, the cap, a projection connector, or a combination thereof. One ormore cover cap clips may be connected to each side of the canister. Aplurality of cover cap clips may be connected to each side of thecanister. The cover cap clip may form one side of a cover receptacle.The cover cap clip may assist in connecting the cap to the canister. Thecover cap clip may connect to a first side of a projection connector andthe cap my connect to a second side of the projection connector. Thecover cap clip and a cover finger may form a cover receptacletherebetween. The cover cap clip and the cover finger may besubstantially identical. The cover cap clip may be longer than a coverfinger. The cover finger may be longer than the cover cap clip. Thecover cap clip and the cover finger may be substantially the samelength. The cover cap clips may include one or more steps. The one ormore steps may be complementary in shape to a step in the secondary capclip. The one or more steps may lock the cover and the cap together. Theone or more steps may lock the cover cap clip to the steps in thesecondary cap clip so that the cover and the cap are connected togetheron side of the cover receptacle.

The one or more cover receptacles may function receive one or moreprojection connectors so that the one or more covers, one or more caps,one or more rails, or a combination thereof are connected together. Theone or more cover receptacles may oppose a one or more cap receptacles.The one or more cap receptacles and the one or more cover receptaclesmay assist in connecting one or more caps within the tonneau system, tothe canister, or both. The one or more cap receptacles may be generally“U” shaped or generally “C” shaped. The one or more cap receptacles mayform a portion of a recess. The one or more cap receptacles may beformed between a cover cap clip and a cover finger.

The one or more cover fingers may function to connect the cover to acap, a rail, a projection connector, or a combination thereof. The oneor more cover fingers may be substantially identical to the one or morecover cap clips. The one or more cover fingers may form a projectionbelow a cap receptacle. The one or more cover fingers may be generallystraight, include one or more curved sections, one or more lockingfeatures, or a combination thereof. The one or more cover fingers mayextend over the canister, the rail, the track guides, or a combinationthereof.

The one or more track guides may function to guide the canister in andout of the tonneau system. The one or more track guides may facilitatemovement of the canister without removal of any other components of thetonneau system. For example, the canister may be removed from the rails,the rail extension, or both while the rails, the rail extensions, orboth remain connected within the bed. The one or more track guides mayinclude one or more holes. The one or more track guides may only allowmovement of a bearing within the track guide in a single direction. Theone or more track guides may only allow the canister to move verticallyor horizontally. Preferably, if the track guides only allow movement inone direction the movement is vertically. The track guides may guidemovement of the canister in two or more directions. Preferably, thetrack guides guide the canister in a horizontal direction and a verticaldirection. The bearing when moving through the track guide may move inan “L” shape. The one or more track guides may have a symmetrical shape.Preferably, the track guides have an asymmetrical shape. The one or moretrack guides may be generally “R” shaped, generally “P” shaped,generally “L” shaped, generally “T” shaped, include one or more terminalends, include one or more ends that the bearing drops into, one or moredetents, or a combination thereof. The one or more track guides mayfunnel a bearing towards a locked position where the canister may beconnected to the rails, the tonneau system, or both. The one or moretrack guides may include a tortuous path so that the bearing cannot beinadvertently removed or guided through the one or more track guides.The one or more track guides may include one or more guide locks, one ormore movement pockets, one or more guide necks, one or more track legs,one or more track openings, or a combination thereof.

The one or more guide locks may prevent the canister from movingvertically, being removed from the bed, being removed from the tonneausystem, being removed from the rails, or a combination thereof. The oneor more guide locks may receive one or more bearings. The one or moreguide locks may be a terminal end of the one or more track guides. Theone or more track guides when in communication with the bearing mayensure that the canister is properly seated within the bed. The one ormore guide locks may prevent the canister from being rotated, lifted,moved towards a passenger compartment, away from a passengercompartment, or a combination thereof. The one or more guide locks mayprevent movement of the canister in every direction except for adirection that moves the bearing from the guide lock into the movementpocket.

The movement pocket may function to permit rotational movement, verticalmovement, movement away from the canister lock, or a combinationthereof. The movement pocket may function to receive the bearing whenthe canister is moved in a first direction. The movement pocket mayreceive the bearing when the canister is moved away from the guide lock,a terminal end of the guide lock, or both. The movement pocket receivesthe bearing from a guide neck when the canister is being installed andwhen the bearing contacts the movement pocket vertical movement may beprevented. The movement pocket may permit movement of the canister inone vertical direction, one horizontal direction, or both. The movementpocket may restrict movement of the canister towards the end of the bedopposite the passenger compartment. The movement pocket may permit achange is movement from a first direction to a second direction as thecanister moves. The first direction and second direction may beseparated by an angle of less than 180 degrees and more than 0 degrees.The first direction and the second direction may be separated by anangle of about 45 degrees or more and about 135 degrees or less.Preferably, the first direction and the second direction aresubstantially perpendicular to each other (e.g., vary by an angle of ±5degrees, ±3 degrees, or preferably ±1 degree). The bearing may move fromthe guide lock to the movement pocket and then to guide neck as thecanister is being removed from the bed.

The guide neck functions to facilitate movement of the canister in adirection away from a bottom of the bed (e.g., vertically), a directiontowards a bottom of the bed, or both. The guide neck may maintainalignment of the canister with the bed, the rails, the rail extensions,the bearings, or a combination thereof as the canister is inserted intoor removed from the bed. The guide neck may restrain horizontalmovements (e.g., movement parallel to the rails) of the canister so thatthe canister is guided out of the bed. The guide neck may have a widththat is substantially uniform along a length of the guide neck. Theguide neck may vary in width along the length of the guide neck. Theguide neck may be formed by two or more track legs. The two or moretrack legs may converge towards each other, forming a guide neck, sothat the guide neck restrains movement of the bearings, the canister, orboth.

The one or more track legs function to restrain the bearing so that thecanister is removed or installed in a predetermined fashion. The one ormore track legs may create sides of the track guide. The one or moretrack legs may form the shape of the track guide. The one or more tracklegs may be one continuous track leg. The one or more track legs may bemade of or include metal, plastic, a polymer, a coating, stainlesssteel, iron, titanium, nylon, or a combination thereof. The one or moretrack legs may include a coating. The coating may reduce friction. Thecoating may be polytetrafluoroethylene, anodized, or both. The one ormore track legs may include two terminal ends. The one or more tracklegs may have depth or height where the bearings cannot be removed fromthe track guide without extending through a track opening.

The one or more track openings may function to release a canister fromthe bearings, the rails, the tonneau system, or a combination thereof.The one or more track openings may function to assist a canister inbeing connected to rails, rail extensions, the tonneau system, or acombination thereof. The one or more track openings may release abearing from the track guide, accept a bearing, or both. The trackopening may be a space between two terminal ends of a track leg or anopening between two track legs. The one or more track openings may flareout to guide a bearing into the track guide, the guide neck, or both.The one or more track openings may be a space between track legs. Theone or more track openings may face downward, toward a bottom of a bed,or both. The one or more track openings, track guides, or both may belocated under a cap.

The one or more caps function to prevent fluid from passing into thebed. The one or more caps function to remove fluid from an upper surfaceor an outer surface of the tonneau cover, the tonneau system, or both.The one or more caps may cover a gap between the canister and the rail,the rail extension, or both. The one or more caps may extend over theone or more roller tracks, the one or more rail extensions, or both. Theone or more caps may form a seal between the bed of a vehicle and thecanister when the canister is in the locked position. The one or morecaps may lock to the canister, be removable, lock to the rail, lock tothe rail extension, or a combination thereof. The one or more caps maybe movable, removable, rotatable, slidable, or a combination thereof.The one or more caps may move out of place as the canister is removed.The one or more caps may be removed with the canister. The one or morecaps may be an extension of the rails that extends over the canister andprevents fluid from entering the bed. The one or more caps may beindependently added or removed when the canister is added or removed.The one or more caps may include one or more cap extensions, one or morecap locks, or both.

The one or more cap extensions function to extend away from a canisterand over a gap between the canister and the bed, the rail, the railextension, or a combination thereof. The one or more cap extensions mayextend to be flush with a side of a bed, a side of a rail, a side of avehicle, or a combination thereof. The one or more cap extensions mayextend cantilever away from an extension clip, the canister, a cap lock,or a combination thereof. The one or more cap extensions may create acover over the gap. The one or more cap extensions may be free of anylocking features, clips, or both. The one or more cap extensions maycreate a cover over a gap. The one or more cap extensions may beconnected to a cap lock that retains the cap in place.

The one or more cap locks may function to connect the cap to thecanister, rail, roller track, bed, or a combination thereof. The one ormore cap locks may prevent movement of the cap relative to the canister,rail, roller track, beck, or a combination thereof. The one or more caplocks may assist the cap in being removed when the canister is removedso that the cap does not have to be separately moved. The one or morecap locks may prevent lateral movement, longitudinal movement,rotational movement, or a combination thereof of the cap. The one ormore cap locks may align the cap extension with the rail, the canister,the bed, or a combination thereof. The one or more cap locks may includeone or more clips that lock the cap in a locked position. The one ormore cap locks may include an extension clip, a primary cap clip, asecondary cap clip, or a combination thereof.

The one or more extension clips function to support the cap extension asthe cap extension extends away from the cap lock. The one or moreextension clips may connect to the cover extension, receive all or aportion of the cover extension, or both. The one or more extension clipsmay extend from a cap extension. The one or more extension clips mayextend outward so that a recess is formed between the extension clip andthe cover extension. The one or more extension clips may be a projectionthat extends into a component of the cover, under a component of thecover, or both (e.g., cover extension). The one or more extension clipsmay extend from an outer edge of tonneau system towards a center of thetonneau system. The one or more extension clips may assist in preventingwater from entering between the cover and the rail, into a bed of avehicle, or both. The extension clip may hold down one end of the capand a primary cap clip, secondary cap clip, or both may hold down orconnect a second end of the cap.

The primary cap clip, the secondary cap clip, or both function toconnect the cap to the cover, the rail, the projection connector, orboth. The primary cap clip, the secondary cap clip, or both may curvebackwards towards the cap extension, extension clip, away from a middleof the tonneau cover, towards an edge of the tonneau cover, towards arail, or a combination thereof. The primary cap clip, the secondary capclip, or both may directly connect or indirectly connect to the cover, acover extension, a cover cap clip, projection connector, or acombination thereof. The primary cap clip may be located below thesecondary cap clip when the cap is in the installed position. Theprimary cap clip may be larger than the secondary cap clip or viceversa. The primary cap clip may be longer than the secondary cap clip.The primary cap clip may be wider than the secondary cap clip. Theprimary cap clip, the secondary cap clip, or both may be “C” shaped, “U”shaped, “J” shaped, or a combination thereof. The primary cap clip andthe secondary cap clip may be parallel. A cap receptacle may be formedbetween the primary cap clip and the secondary cap clip.

The one or more cap receptacles may function to connect an end of thecap to the rail, the cover, a projection connector, or a combinationthereof. The one or more cap receptacles may function to fix the cap tothe cover, the rail, the canister, or a combination thereof. The capreceptacles may receive a projection connector that assists in lockingthe cap to a cover. The cap receptacles may be sufficiently large toconnect to a projection connector. The cap receptacles may have a lengththat extends parallel to the rail. The cap receptacles may be located atends of the canister and may connect to projection connectors at theends of the canister. The projection connector and the cap receptaclesmay have a length that are substantially similar. The cap receptacles,cover receptacle, or both may form a friction fit with the projectionconnector, lock to the projection connector, or both.

The projection connector may function to connect or lock two or morecomponents of the tonneau system together. The projection connector mayconnect the cap to a cover. The projection connector may extend parallelto the rail and may connect the cover to the cap. The projectionconnector may have a length that extends from a forward end of thecanister to a rear end of the canister. For example, the projectionconnector may extend from an end of the canister by the cab of a vehicleto an end of the canister by the tailgate of a vehicle. The projectionconnector may have a shape so that projection connector when locatedwithin the cover receptacle, the cap receptacle, or both the projectionconnector connects the cap and the cover together. The projectionconnector may have a cross-section that is square, rectangular, diamond,pentagonal, hexagonal, diamond, or a combination thereof. The projectionconnector may be free of a fixed connection with any of the tonneausystem until the projection connector is inserted into the tonneausystem. For example, the projection connector may be a bar that isextended into the cover receptacle, the cap receptacle, or both toconnect the cover and the cap together. The projection connector may beconnected to the cover, the cap, the rail, or a combination thereof andthen a portion of the projection connector may extend between the capand the cover to form a connection. The projection connector may lockthe cover and the cap together so that when the canister is movedbetween the various positions (e.g., locked, removed, closed, stored)the cap is connected to the canister and is removable and/or insertableinto or out of the tonneau system.

The canister in the locked position is connected to the rails, thevehicle, or both. The canister in the locked position may be maintainedin the tonneau system by a canister lock, a bearing, a track guide, or acombination thereof. In the locked position, the bearing may be locatedin the guide lock of the track guide. In the locked position, thecanister may be prevented from being lifted vertically. In the lockedposition, the canister may be only movable in one direction. When thecanister lock is released the canister may be moved from a lockedposition to a removed position.

The removed position may be a position where the bearing is moved fromthe guide lock to the movement pocket. The removed position may be wherethe canister is longitudinally moved along the rail so that that bearingis moved from the guide lock. The removed position may be where thebearing is aligned with the guide neck, track opening, or both. Theremoved position may permit the canister to be vertically lifted. Theremoved position may be where the canister is released from the canisterlock and the canister is slideable along the rails. Preferably, theremoved position is where the canister is completely removed from thetonneau system, the vehicle, the bed, or a combination thereof. Theremoved position may be where the canister is released and lifted out ofthe bed. The removed position may have the tonneau cover in the storedposition so that the tonneau cover and the canister are removed from thebed, the tonneau system, or both.

The stored position may be where the tonneau cover is retracted into thecanister. The closed position may be where the tonneau cover is extendedfrom the canister. The stored position may be where substantially all ofthe tonneau cover is moved into the canister. In the stored position,two or less, one or less, or none of the tonneau sections may extend outof the canister. In the closed position, the bed may be completelycovered by the tonneau cover. In the closed position, the bed of avehicle may be locked, prevent fluids from entering therein, or both.

The vehicle as discussed herein may be any vehicle that has an open areathat may be covered. The open area, preferably, is a bed. The vehiclemay be a truck, a trailer, el camino, a UTV, ranchero, or a combinationthereof. The bed of the vehicle may be an open area for storing items.The bed may be 1 m or longer, 1.5 m or longer, or 2 m or longer. The bedmay be covered, uncovered, opened by removal of a canister, closed byinsertion of a canister, or a combination thereof.

The steps of the method discussed herein may not be discussed in orderand the steps discussed herein may be performed in a different orderthan discussed herein unless expressly discussed. The canister may beinserted into the tonneau system. A track opening may be aligned with abearing. The canister may be lowered so that the bearing extends throughthe guide lock, the guide neck, between the track legs, through thetrack opening, or a combination thereof. The canister may be lowered sothat the bearing is located in the movement pocket. The canister may beslid so that the bearing moves from the movement pocket to the guidelock. The canister lock may connect to a locking tab. The canister maybe slid so that the locking tab extends into the canister lock to form aconnection. The canister may be tipped so that one end contacts a railand then a second end is moved into contact with a rail. The canistermay automatically lock when the bearing is moved into the guide lock.The canister lock may be actuated to lock the locking tab and thecanister lock together. The canister lock may be actuated to release thelocking tab. The two or more canister locks may be connected togetherand actuation of one canister lock may actuate the other canister locks.A chord, wire, or some other device may extend between and connect thecanister locks together. The chord, wire, or come other device may beactuated to release the canister locks. The canister locks may beactuated and the canister may be released so that the canister ismovable. The canister may be slid along the rails so that the bearingmoves from the guide lock to the movement pocket (e.g., in a firstdirection). The bearing may be aligned with the guide neck, the trackopening, or both. One side of the canister may be tipped up (e.g., in asecond direction). The canister may rotate about one side of thecanister (e.g., front end or rear end). The entire canister may bevertically lifted (e.g., in a third direction). The canister may belifted by a handle. The canister may be lifted from a center section.The canister when removed may remove the cover, the cap, the tonneaucover, or a combination thereof. The bearing may be moved between oralong the track legs. The bearing may remain connected to the rails. Thetrack guide may remain connected to the canister. The locking tab may bepushed into the canister lock or the canister lock may be pushed intocontact with the locking tab so that a locked connection may be formed.

FIG. 1A illustrates a tonneau system 2. The tonneau system 2 includes atonneau cover 3 made up of a plurality of tonneau sections 4. Thetonneau system 2 in a closed position 100 so that the bed 152 of avehicle 152 is fully covered. The canister 20 includes a space 24 withinthe canister 20 that receives the tonneau cover 3.

FIG. 1B illustrates a view under the cover 3 of the tonneau system 2when the bed 152 is covered. A canister 20 is located under the tonneaucover 3 and connected to the bed 152 so that when the tonneau cover 3 ismoved from the closed position 100 to a stored position (not shown) thecover 3 is completely housed within the canister 20. The canister 20includes a handle 18 that assists in removable of the canister 20 fromthe bed 152.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tonneau system 2 with a tonneau cover2 connected to the bed via rails 80. Each of the rails 80 include aroller track 82. The tonneau cover 3 is connected to a roller track 82that guides the tonneau cover 2 into or out of the tracks 22 locatedwithin the canister 20 as the tonneau cover moves in the direction 26. Acover 18 covers each end of the canister 20 and a cap 40 extends over atop of the canister 20. The canister 20 includes a handle 18 thatassists in removal of the canister 20. As

FIG. 3 is an end view of a canister 20. The canister 20 includes a trackguide 30 that receives a bearing 62 connected to a rail extension 60.The rail extension 60 is at least partially covered by a cap 40 and isconnected to canister lock.64.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of a canister 20. The cap 40 and therail extension 60 are removed from the canister 20 exposing the rollertrack 82, canister lock 64, bearing 62, and track guide 30. The trackguide 30 guides the canister 20 along the bearing 62 so that thecanister 20 is removable and insertable into a bed (not shown). Thetrack guide 30 includes a guide lock 32, movement pocket 34, guide neck36, track legs 38 and a track opening 39 located between the track legs38.

FIG. 5A illustrates the canister 20 in the locked position 66 where thebearing 62 is located within the guide lock 32 of the track guide 30.The bearing 62 prevents the canister from being removed from a bed (notshown) by contacting the guide lock 32. As shown, the canister 20includes a canister lock 54 that is locked in place by connecting to alocking tab 72.

FIG. 5B illustrates the canister 20 moving from the locked position 66by the canister 20 being moved in the direction 26. When the canister 20is moved in the direction 26 the bearing 62 is moved from the guide lock32 to the movement pocket 34 of the track guide 30.

FIG. 5C illustrates the canister 20 being rotated so that one side ofthe canister 20 moves the in the direction 26. As a side of the canister20 moves in the direction 26, the bearing 62 moves from a movementpocket 34 to a guide neck 36. The canister lock 64 is connected to thecanister 20 and the canister lock 64 is removed with the canister 20.

FIG. 5D illustrates the canister 20 being removed from the roller track82 and the bed (not shown). As the canister 20 is being lifted in thedirection 26, the bearing 62 moves from the guide neck 36 between thetrack legs 38 through the track opening 39 so that the canister 20 is nolonger connected. The canister 20 includes a handle 18 to assist inlifting the canister 20. As shown the canister 20 is in the removedposition 70 where the canister 20 is not connected to the roller track82 or the bearing 62.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rail extension 60 that includes abearing 62 and a canister lock 64. The canister lock 64 incudes arelease arm 68 that unlocks the canister (not shown) so that thecanister can be removed and a locking jaw 74 that receives a locking tab(not shown) to create a locked state.

FIG. 7 shows a cap 40 extending over the roller track 82 so that the capprevents fluids from entering the canister 20.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a cap 40 including a cap extension 42and a cap lock 44. An extension clip 46 is located between the capextension 42 and the cap lock 44. The cap lock 44 includes a primary capclip 48 and a secondary cap clip 50 that assist in connecting the capwithin the tonneau system (not shown).

FIG. 9 is an end view of one side of a tonneau system 2. The tonneausystem 2 includes a cap 40, a rail 80, and a cover 90 that are allinterconnected together. The rail 80 is covered by the cover 90 and thecap 40 so that only the roller extension 84 is visible. The rail 80 isconnected to a portion of the cap 40 and the cover 90 via a projectionconnector 200 that extends through the cap receptacle 52, the coverreceptacle 97 and the roller recess (not shown). The cover 90 is locatedat an end of the canister (not shown) and forms one end of a space 24within the canister. The cover 90 includes a cover cap 92 including acover extension 94 that forms a connection with the extension clip 46.The cover cap 92 also includes a cover cap clip 96 and a cover finger 98with a cover receptacle 97 formed there between. The cover receptacle 97receives the projection connector 200 and the cover cap clip 96 extendsalong a first side and the cover finger 98 extends along a side of theprojection connector 200. The cover cap clip 96 extends into thesecondary cap clip 50 and connects the cover 90 to the cap 40. The cap40 includes a cap extension 42 that as shown extends over a portion ofthe rail 80 to prevent fluids from penetrating into the canister whenthe canister is in the installed position. The cap 40 also includes acap lock 44 that extends in a direction opposite the cap extension 42.The cap lock 44 includes the extension clip 46, primary cap clip 48,secondary cap clip 50, and a cap receptacle 52 located between theprimary cap clip 48 and the secondary cap clip 50. The cap receptacle 52receives a portion of the projection connect 200 to form a connection.

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the cap 40, rail 80, andcanister cover cap 90. When the cap 40, rail 80, and canister cover cap90 are all in an installed position fluid is prevented from entering thebed through a region around the canister 20. The cap 40 includes a capextension 42 connected to a cap lock 44. The cap lock 44 includes anextension clip 46, primary cap clip 48, secondary cap clip 50, and a capreceptacle 52 located between the primary cap clip 48 and secondary capclip 50. The rail 80 includes a roller track 82 extending in a firstdirection with a roller extension 84 extending in a second direction.The roller extension 84 includes a pair of roller fingers 86 with aroller recess 88 located there between. A rail connector 89 extendsbelow the roller track 82 and assists in connecting the rail 80 to thebed (not shown). The cover 90 includes a cover cap 92 extending in afirst direction and a cover cap 94 extending in a second direction. Thecover extension 94 includes a cover cap clip 96 and a cover finger 98with a cover receptacle 98 formed therebetween.

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. Unless otherwise stated, a teaching withthe term “about” or “approximately” in combination with a numericalamount encompasses a teaching of the recited amount, as well asapproximations of that recited amount. By way of example, a teaching of“about 100” encompasses a teaching of within a range of 100+/−15.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combinationshall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified,and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of theelements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may”herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” beincluded are optional.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as manyapplications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theteachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to theabove description, but should instead be determined with reference tothe appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to whichsuch claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles andreferences, including patent applications and publications, areincorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

2 Tonneau System

3 Tonneau cover

4 Tonneau Section

18 Handle

20 canister

22 track

24 Space

26 Direction of movement

30 Track guide

32 Guide Lock

34 Movement pocket

36 Guide neck

38 Track legs

39 Track opening

40 Cap

42 Cap Extension

44 Cap Lock

46 Extension Clip

48 Primary cap clip

50 Secondary cap clip

52 Cap receptacle

60 Rail Extension

62 Bearing

64 Canister Lock

66 Locked Position

68 Release arm

70 Removed Position

72 Locking tab (striker latch)

74 Locking jaw

80 rail

82 Roller track

84 roller extension

86 Roller fingers

88 Roller recess

89 Rail connector

90 cover

92 Cover cap

94 Cover extension

96 Cover cap clip

97 Cover receptacle

98 Cover finger

100 Closed position

110 Stored position

150 vehicle

152 bed

200 Projection connector

What is claimed is:
 1. A canister comprising: a. a space configured toreceive a tonneau cover so that the tonneau cover is stored within thecanister; and b. one or more track guides that guide the canisterrelative to a roller track, a bed of a vehicle, a rail extension, a cap,or a combination thereof; and wherein the one or more track guidesassist the canister in being inserted into or removed from the bed ofthe vehicle.
 2. The canister of claim 1, wherein the one or more trackguides include a guide lock that receives a bearing that locks thecanister within the bed of the vehicle.
 3. The canister of claim 1,wherein the one or more track guides include a movement pocket thatreceives a bearing when the canister is moved from a locked position toan unlocked position so that the canister is removable from the bed ofthe vehicle.
 4. The canister of claim 1, wherein the one or more trackguides include a guide neck that receives a bearing and guides thecanister as the canister is removed from or is inserted into the bed ofthe vehicle.
 5. The canister of claim 1, wherein the one or more trackguides include two or more track legs defining a track opening thatreceives a bearing so that the canister connects to the bed of thevehicle, that releases the bearing so that the canister is removablefrom the bed of the vehicle, or both.
 6. A tonneau system comprising thecanister of claim 1, wherein the tonneau system includes one or moreroller tracks that are connected to the bed of the vehicle and are incommunication with the one or more track guides of the canister.
 7. Thetonneau system of claim 6, wherein the one or more roller tracks remainconnected to the bed of the vehicle when the canister is removed fromthe bed of the vehicle.
 8. The tonneau system of claim 6, wherein one ormore rail extensions are connected to the one or more roller tracks, thebed of the vehicle, or both.
 9. The tonneau system of claim 8, whereinthe one or more rail extensions include one or more bearings thatremovably connect the canister to the bed of the vehicle by forming aconnection with the one or more track guides.
 10. The tonneau system ofclaim 9, wherein the one or more bearings are located within the one ormore track guides and guide the canister into a locked position as thecanister is inserted into the bed of the vehicle or guide the canisterfrom the locked position to a removed position where the canister isremoved from the bed of the vehicle.
 11. The tonneau system of claim 8,wherein the one or more rail extensions include one or more canisterlocks that connect the canister to the one or more roller tracks, theone or more rail extensions, or both.
 12. The tonneau system of claim 8,wherein one or more caps extend over the one or more roller tracks, theone or more rail extensions, or both and form a seal between the bed ofthe vehicle and the canister when the canister is in a locked position.13. The tonneau system of claim 12, wherein the one or more caps includeone or more cap extensions connected to one or more cap locks thatconnect the one or more caps to the canister, the one or more railextensions, the one or more roller tracks, or a combination thereof. 14.A tonneau system comprising: a. a roller track that is configured toconnect to a first side of a bed of a vehicle; b. a second roller trackthat is configured to connect to a second side of the bed of thevehicle; c. a rail extension connected to the roller track on the firstside; d. a second rail extension connected to the second roller track onthe second side; e. a canister including: i. a track guide on a firstside of the canister in communication with the roller track and the railextension on the first side, and ii. a second track guide on a secondside of the canister in communication with the second roller track andthe second rail extension on the second side; and f. a bearing connectedto the rail extension and a second bearing connected to the second railextension so that the bearing guides the canister as the canister isbeing inserted into or removed from the bed of the vehicle; wherein theroller track and the second roller track remain connected to the bed ofthe vehicle when the canister is removed from the bed of the vehicle.15. The tonneau system of claim 14, wherein the track guide and thesecond track guide each include: a. a guide lock that receives acorresponding one of the bearing and the second bearing to lock thecanister in a locked position; b. a movement pocket that receives thecorresponding one of the bearing and the second bearing so that thecanister is released from the locked position; c. a guide neck thatallows the canister to rotate, move out of the bed, or both, and d. atrack opening that releases the corresponding one of the bearing and thesecond bearing from between track legs so that the canister is movableto a removed position.
 16. The tonneau system of claim 15, wherein therail extension, the second rail extension, or both include a canisterlock that prevents movement of the bearing, the second bearing, or bothfrom the guide lock to the movement pocket.
 17. The tonneau system ofclaim 16, wherein the tonneau system includes a cap that extends overthe roller track, the rail extension, and the first side of thecanister, and a second cap that extends over the second roller track,the second rail extension, and the second side of the canister so thatthat fluid, debris, or both are prevented from entering into the bed ofthe vehicle.
 18. A method comprising: a. moving a canister in a firstdirection relative to one or more roller tracks, one or more railextensions, or both so that a bearing moves relative to a track guidefrom a position within a guide lock of the track guide to a positionwithin a movement pocket of the track guide; b. moving the canister in asecond direction so that the bearing moves from the movement pocket to aguide neck of the track guide; and c. moving the canister in a thirddirection so that the bearing moves from the guide neck, along one ormore track legs, and out of a track opening of the track guide; whereinthe one or more roller tracks, the one or more rail extensions, or bothare free of movement as the canister moves.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the second direction and the third direction are parallel. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the method includes a step of removing acap from the canister, the one or more roller tracks, the one or morerail extensions, or a combination thereof; and releasing the canister byactuating canister lock, or both.